Format signal converter using dummy samples

ABSTRACT

A television signal format converter is provided for converting without loss of picture information any high definition television format to or from a given recorder/player format. An interface converts between RGB and luminance/chrominance inputs and between analog and digital inputs. The interface couples any proposed high definition television format to a plurality of pairs of memories. A clock and control circuit controls addressing of the memories for reading and writing so that conversion is performed between any high definition television format and the format required for a given high definition digital video tape recorder or any other comparable recorder. As data is stored in the digital video tape recorder, dummy samples are written along with active luminance samples. The dummy samples may indicate, among other things, the type of format being converted.

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No.08/156,832 filed Nov. 24, 1993, entitled "Format Signal Converter UsingDummy Samples", which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.07/404,190 filed Sep. 7, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,397.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to high definition television and, moreparticularly, relates to a method and apparatus for converting withoutloss of picture information any high definition television format to andfrom a given recorder/player format.

2. Related Information

Prior to the introduction in the United States and Japan of the existingNTSC standard television signal format and the introduction in Europe ofthe PAL and SECAM formats, there was considerable discussion over whichbroadcast black and white format to choose. Some broadcast formats weredesirable because they exhibited less RF interference when transmitted.Other broadcast formats were desirable because they delivered atelevision picture having a sharper or less choppy image. Discussionagain occurred, upon the introduction of color television, over whichcolor signal broadcast format to choose and whether the chosen colorformat should be compatible with the broadcast black and whitetelevision format. In the United States today, the same issues are againbeing raised over the choice of a second generation televisionformat--commonly known as high definition television (HDTV) or advancedtelevision (ATV). Recent issues include discussion concerning whichformat is test suited for conventional over-the-air broadcast as well asbest stated for transmisson over new mediums such as fiber optic cable,coaxial cable, telephonic, broadcast satellite, and pre-recordedmediums. The recent issues include discussion of whether the new HDTVformat should be compatible with the present NTSC format. While theFederal Communications Commission of the United States would like thenew format to Be NTSC compatible, there is considerable influenceworld-wide to adopt a totally new standard. The discussion furtherincludes the issue of whether a proposed format will be adverselyaffected during broadcast or transmission on the new mediums and whethersuch a proposed format will subjectively provide an adequate picture.Many formats have been proposed for adoption by proponents both insideand outside the United States.

The Advanced Television Test Center was established in Alexandria, Va.,as a neutral test center for evaluation and comparision of proposed HDTVformats. Besides testing the proposed HDTV formats for immunity toelectrical interference and other impairments and testing for NTSCcompatibility, the proposed HDTV formats are shown to viewers forsubjective evaluation. Viewers compare, by psycho-physical testing, theproposed HDTV formats and rate them as to their characteristics with andwithout transmission impairments. In order to perform testing on allproposed formats, the television test center has a need for a uniformvideo tape recorder which can record all proposed formats.

Such a uniform video source may be provided by a video tape recordercapable of recording any one of all proposed HDTV formats and playingback in the recorded HDTV format. Several digital video tape recorders(DVTR), the Sony HDD-1000 and the Hitachi DVTR, are capable of recordingor playing back a HDTV signal. Either the Sony or the Hitachi video taperecorder is capable of recording 1920 bytes of luminance data at 74.25megabytes per second and two chrominance data components comprisinganother 1920 bytes per line at 74.25 megabytes per second as packets ofdata. Digital data packets are recorded at a rate of 517.5 lines perfield with 2 fields per frame. The HDD-1000 has field rate of 60 Hz atwhich 74.25 megabytes per second are recorded as mentioned above. TheHDD-1000 can also be used at a field rate of 59.94 Hz at which 74.175megabytes per second are recorded. The field rate of 59.94 Hz isactually 60×(1000/1001) Hz. While a DVTR is capable of recording andplaying back in accordance with the above-described input/outputspecifications, a requirement remains to provide an interface for such arecorder allowing other proposed formats to be recorded uniformlywithout the introduction of losses.

Prior system have been proposed for recording at least one format on asingle video tape recorder. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,224, issuedto Nakamura et al., provides an apparatus for recognizing either an NTSCor a PAL/SECAM format and generating an appropriate recording frequencydependent on the recognized format. The Nakamura system is incapable ofrecording proposed high definition television formats. Furthermore, theNakamura system does not perform signal conversion for recording orplayback in a desired format.

System are also known for providing conversion between televisionformats. These system, however, are incapable of converting televisionformats without loss or alteration of picture quality. At the AdvancedTelevision Test Center, conversion between formats must occur withoutalteration of picture quality or lass of information content. All knownconversion system use interpolation techniques and approximationalgorithms for this type of conversion. For instance, U.S. Pat. No.4,587,556, issued to Collins, discloses a television standard converterfor converting conventional PAL and NTSC signals using weighing factorsand interpolation. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,565, issued toDalton et al., converts conventional television formats usinginterpolation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,284, issued to Kawamura et al., iscapable of downsizing a 625 line PAL format to a 525 line format forprinting on a color printer. Interpolation is used for the downsizingconversion. Conversion between conventional formats is also performed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,661,862 issued to Thompson, wherein data reduction isperformed by deletion and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,736, issued to Morio etal., wherein conversion by discarding or repeating information signalsis performed. Such schemes entail loss in picture quality or content.Interpolation itself is a filtering function. Some information must belost and therefore such schemes cannot be truly bi-directional.

Other systems such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,958, issuedto Bannister et al., convert conventional encoded NTSC, PAL, SECAM andanalog RGB, YUV to separate chrominance and luminance signals for inputto a special effects device. Bannister et al. performs the conversionusing filters for processing the signals. U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,387,issued to Hashimoto et al., processes video data both before recordingand after playback for quality improvement. No conversion is performed.

Systems for adapting an input to a VCR include U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,020,issued to Wilkinson, wherein a video signal is shuffled before recordingand unshuffled upon playback to avoid drop out in the event of headfailure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,048, issued to Proper, adapts a VCR forcomputer memory backup storage. Proper concerns interfacing a VCR toavoid VCR information dropouts, a problem of no concern/for digitalvideo recording. U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,380, issued to Wilkinson et al.,discloses a multiple head video tape recorder with switching andinterpolation to remove the effects of a failed head.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,208 was issued to Charles Rhodes, the inventor ofthe present application, and was assigned to an assignee other than theassignee of the present application. The patent discloses conversionbetween widescreen and non-widescreen television transmissions usinginput/output multiplexers for line conversion in line memory pairs.Picture lines are clocked into and out of a memory to change the widthof a picture.

None of the above systems provide a uniform video source for equallycomparing proposed high definition television formats. Knowninterpolators and filters unfortunately reproduce and convert highdefinition television signals with the sacrifice of picture Information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An important object of the present invention is to provide a recorderfor recording any HDTV format without loss of picture information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a player forplaying any HDTV format without loss of picture information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recorder/playerfor playing back any HDTV format without loss of picture information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a converter forconverting any HDTV format to digital luminance and chrominance datasignals for recording on a digital video recorder without loss ofpicture information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a conversioncircuit for playback of digital luminance and chrominance signals in anydesired HDTV format without loss of picture information.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a converter forallowing a commercially available DVTR to record and playback any HDTVformat.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing aconverter for converting without loss of picture information any highdefinition television format to and from a given recorder/player format.The format converter of the present invention provides an interface forconverting between RGB and luminance/chrominance inputs and betweenanalog and digital inputs. The interface couples any proposed highdefinition television format to a plurality of memory pairs. A clock andcontrol circuit controls addressing of the memories for reading andwriting so that conversion is performed between any high definitiontelevision format and the format required for the Sony HDD-1000 orHitachi digital video tape recorder or any other comparable recorder.

In particular, during a record mode of operation, involving both aconverter according to the present invention and a digital video taperecorder, the converter operates as a slave to horizontal and verticaldrive synchronizing signals provided by the source of a particularformat. The particular formats video signal is digitized and stored inthe memory at one rate and read out of the memory at the rate ofoperation of the DVTR. An advantage of the present invention is that thesize of the memory may be simultaneously limited and the clocking andcontrolling of the converter memory facilitated without any loss in theproponent's signal regardless of the input signal format. Furthermore,the reading of converter memory and writing of data into the DVTR arecontrolled and synchronized by the control signals provided by thesource of the proponent's format.

During a playback mode of operation, the converter according to thepresent invention becomes the source of controlling the DVTR and theoutput to the broadcaster. Nevertheless, the same limited size memorymay be employed with the same advantages as during the record mode.

In the event one of the proposed HDTV formats other than those formatsbased upon the format for which commercially available recorders aredesigned is adopted by the Federal Communications Commission in theUnited States, broadcasters will be able to employ the present inventionwith presently available commercial DVTRs (such as the Sony HDD-1000 orHitachi DVTR) to record and playback HDTV pictures and audio--not havingto await development of a new HDTV DVTR specifically constructed for theadopted format--an uncertain delay and possibly greater realized cost.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome evident from the following detailed description of the inventionwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a television test center fortesting and comparing proposed HDTV formats.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of components for recording any HDTVformat on a given digital video recorder.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of components for playing back asignal on a digital video player in any HDTV format.

FIG. 4 is a detailed block schematic diagram of circuitry for convertingan RGB HDTV signal to digital luminance and chrominance inputs for agiven HDTV recorder.

FIG. 5 is a detailed block schematic diagram of components forconverting, to an RGB signal, digital luminance and chrominance outputsfrom a given HDTV player.

FIGS. 6(a) and (b) are respectively record mode and playback modegeneric block schematic diagrams for clock and control oscillators.

FIG. 7 illustrates seven lines of a first exemplary proposed HDTV formatincluded in five lines of a digital luminance signal for recording onthe recorder.

FIG. 8 illustrates seven lines of a first exemplary proposed HDTV formatincluded in five lines of a digital chrominance signal of the recorder.

FIG. 9 illustrates how samples of lines of fields of a first exemplaryproposed HDTV format are placed in the lines of fields of the digitalvideo recorder.

FIG. 10 illustrates how samples of the lines of fields of a secondexemplary proposed HDTV format are placed in the lines of fields of theHDTV recorder.

FIGS. 11(a) and (b) are flowcharts describing the structuring ofconverter parameters for any proposed format.

FIGS. 12(a) and (b) are respectively record mode and playback mode blockschematic diagrams for clock and control oscillators for a firstexemplary proposed format.

FIGS. 13(a) and (b) are respectively record mode and playback mode blockschematic diagram for clock and control oscillators for a secondexemplary proposed format.

FIGS. 14(a) and (b) are respectively record mode and playback mode blockschematic diagram for a clock and control oscillator for a thirdexemplary proposed format.

FIGS 15(a)-15(b) are a table illustrating important specifications forthe Sony HDD-1000 digital video tape recorder.

FIG. 15(c)-15(e) are table illustrating important specifications for theHitachi digital video tape recorder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG 1 illustrates a television test center utilizing the multiple HDTVformat/recorder players 110 and 150, including converter 160 of thepresent invention. Signal sources for proposed high-definitiontelevision are provided by high-definition digital video tape recorder(DVTR) 110, PIXAR 111 and test signal block 112. Signal sources for testaudio are provided by program audio block 113 and test signal audioblock 114. Signal sources for the conventional NTSC format are providedby program source block 115, video test signal block 116 and audio testsignal block 117. The outputs of the signal sources are directed to testbed 120, including RF test bed 121, satellite and microwave test bed 122and cable test bed 123. At test bed 120, the television signals aresubjected to impairments including noise conditions, multipath, airplaneflutter, two channel signal level and time differentials andinterference. An impaired television signal is then sent from test bed120 to displays 130 for psycho-physical testing by viewers 131. Anactual or impaired signal output from test bed 120 is also sent toprocessing equipment 140 for NTSC compatibility tests. The actual orimpaired signal output from the test bed can be recorded on highdefinition television digital video tape recorder (DVTR) 150.Measurement of the HDTV signal can also be made by spectrum analyzer 141and advanced television audio and visual measurement equipment 142.Digital video tape recorder 150 can also playback directly to highdefinition television displays 130 for psycho-physical testing.

The present invention provides converters 160 used in conjunction withhigh definition digital video tape recorders (DVTR) 110 and 150. DVTR110 plays and DVTR 150 records in only one advanced television format.DVTR 110 is preferably a Sony HDD-1000 or Hitachi digitalrecorder/player having predetermined input/output specificationssubstantially in accordance with Japanese high definition broadcaststandards; however, the principles of the present invention may belikewise applied to other digital signal recorders having otherinput/output specifications. Important specifications for the SonyHDD-1000 are illustrated in FIG. 15(a). Important specifications for theHitachi DVTR are illustrated in FIG. 15(b).

Converter 160, according to the present invention, converts any advancedtelevision or high definition television signal for recording orplayback on DVTRs 110 and 150. Converter 160 will be discussed inconjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3 followed by a detailed discussion inconjunction with FIGS 4-10.

FIG. 2 illustrates converter 180 adapted for recording any HDTV formatfrom HDTV source 210 on digital video recorder 150. HDTV source 210 canbe a high definition television camera or other known source such as aspecialized high definition television video player. Preferably, RGB(red, green, blue) signals, a FORMAT V-DRIVE IN (vertical)synchronization signal and a FORMAT H-DRIVE IN (horizontal)synchronization signal are provided by HDTV source 210 (FIG. 6(a)).Matrix 211 converts the RGB signals to luminance signal Y andchrominance color difference signals R-Y and B-Y. Matrix 211 ispreferably constructed using resistors that combine the RGB signalaccording to the following equation:

    Y=0.3R+0.59G+0.11B

The chrominance signals are found as R-Y and B-Y using resistors andphase inverters. Other chrominance signals can alternatively beconverted such as I and Q associated with the video signal. Clock andcontrol circuit 230 clocks analog to digital converter 212 at afrequency f_(s) and 1/2 f_(s) where f_(s) is the sampling clockfrequency. The luminance signal is digitized at the sampling frequencyf_(s) and the chrominance signals are digitized at the samplingfrequency 1/2 f_(s). Because the two chrominance signals will later becombined into a single chrominance signal, the chrominance signals aredigitized at half the rate of the luminance signal.

It is conceivable that HDTV source 210 could provide signals in eitheranalog or digital, RGB, or chrominance and luminance components. Thus,depending upon the particular output of the HDTV source, matrix 211 andanalog to digital converter 212 may not be required.

Clock and control circuit 230 also provides control signals toconversion memory 240. Data indicating the high definition televisionformat input by HDTV source 210 for recording on digital video recorder150 is input to clock and control circuit 230 for programming theconverter to provide control signals for the input HDTV format. Thisdata can be input by an operator manually selecting the format to beemployed or the format converter can be built for one specific format,for example, any format adopted by the United States. Based on the inputHDTV format type and the FORMAT H-DRIVE IN and FORMAT V-DRIVE INsynchronization signals, clock and control circuit 230 outputs read,write and timing signals to conversion memory 240, thus instructingconversion memory 240 to convert the HDTV input format to a formatsuitable for recording on digital video recorder 150. Conversion memorycontrol 230 controls conversion of the input HDTV format to luminanceand chrominance data signals in accordance with FIGS. 9 and 10 which mapdata into memory 240.

FIG. 3 illustrates converter 160 for converting the output of DVTR 110in playback mode, to an HDTV format displayed, for example, on displaymonitor 130. In playback mode, converter 160 controls the operation ofthe DVTR and provides synchronizing information with the output of theconverted video signal. Display 130 can be any output device such as amonitor, a cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display, projection screen,video cassette recorder, or other output, storage, conversion ortransmission device. Conversion memory 340 converts the digital signalsin accordance with control signals from clock and control circuit 230.Digital to analog converter 312 and matrix 311 perform the reversefunctions of matrix 211 and analog to digital converter 212. Furtherdetails of conversion memory 340 and digital to analog converter 312will be discussed subsequently in conjunction with FIG. 5. Furtherdetails of clock and control circuit 230 will be discussed inconjunction with FIG. 8.

FIG. 4 illustrates in greater detail the components of FIG. 2. FIG. 4particularly illustrates matrix 411, anti-aliasing filters 421-423, theindividual components of analog to digital converters 424-426, memories431-436 and multiplexer 440 during record mode. Matrix circuit 411converts an analog RGB input signal to luminance and color differencesignal outputs. Anti-aliasing low pass filters 421, 422 and 423 as wellas analog to digital converters 424, 425 and 426 are shown connected tothe outputs of matrix 411 B-Y, R-Y and Y, respectively. Write clockcontrol signal 401 from controller 230 clocks luminance analog todigital converter 426 at f_(s) and chrominance analog to digitalconverters 424 and 425 at 1/2 f_(s) via divide by two flip-flop 402.

Two memories are connected to the output of each analog to digitalconverter. Memories 431 and 432 are connected to the output of B-Ychrominance analog to digital converter 424 under read/write control 403by controller 230. Likewise, memories 433 and 434 are connected to theoutput of R-Y chrominance analog to digital converter 425 and memories435 and 436 are connected to the output of luminance analog to digitalconverter 426 under read/write control 403 by controller 230. Read/writecontrol 403 from controller 230 controls alternatively read and writefunctions for the first and second memories connected to each analog todigital converter. For example, memory 431 alternatively reads andwrites with respect to memory 432 under control of read/write controlsignal 403. Read/write control signal 403 connects directly to the firstmemory, for example, and read/write control signal 403 inverted byinverter 404 connects to the second memory. Consequently, under controlof read/write control signal 403 from controller 230, digital videoinformation can by written into the one memory and simultaneously readout of the other memory. Controller 230 controls addressing of videodata written into and read out of the memories thereby performing adesired conversion between formats such as the conversion exemplified byFIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10. Further details of the read/write clocking andcontrol will later be described in conjunction with FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b).

Multiplexer 440 combines the outputs of memories 431, 432, 433 and 434to yield a single chrominance signal. In particular, for the SonyHDD-1000 or Hitachi DVTR examples, the output of multiplexer 440 is an 8bit, byte-interleaved B-Y/R-Y chrominance data bit stream of 1920 bytesper line at a 59.94 Hz field rate. The field rate of 59.94 Hz isactually 60×(1000/1001) Hz. Multiplexer 440 is controlled by controller230 using a 74.175 MHz control signal to match the exemplary HDD-100074.175 megabyte per second data rate at a 59.94 Hz field rate. Becausethe chrominance memory outputs are multiplexed together, eachchrominance memory only needs to be half the size of each luminancememory. The outputs of memories 435 and 436 are thus sequentially readto provide a 8-bit luminance data bit stream of 1920 bytes per line andat a 59.94 Hz field rate.

According to the Nyquist criterion, no spectral component of any signalshould exceed one-half the digitizing clock frequencies f_(s) forluminance and 0.5 f_(s) for chrominance. Therefore, low pass filters421-423 shown in FIG. 4 are used in conjunction with analog to digitalconverters 424-426, respectively. The low pass filters can also becalled anti-aliasing filters. Low pass filter 423 on the luminancecomponent preferably has a -3 dB drop off at approximately 0.4 f_(s).Low pass filters 421 and 422 on the two chrominance components shouldhave a -3 dB drop off at approximately 0.2 f_(s). The filters should notcut off extremely rapidly at the Nyquist frequency of 0.5 f_(s) and 0.25f_(s) respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates in greater detail the components of FIG. 3. FIG. 5particularly illustrates conversion memory 340 (memories 531-536),digital to analog converter 312 (converters 524-526) and matrix 311(matrix 511) during playback mode. Read/write control 503 fromcontroller 230 controls memory pairs for alternating read and write.Luminance data from, for example, digital video player 110 isalternately written in memories 535 and 536. The chrominance signal fromdigital video player 110 is de-multiplexed by de-multiplexer 540 usingthe 74.175 MHz control signal from control circuit 230 for the 59.94 Hzfield rate. De-multiplexer 540 splits the chrominance signal into a B-Ysignal stored in memories 531 and 532 and a R-Y signal stored inmemories 533 and 534. Controller 230 controls the reading and writingfrom the memories to perform conversion back to the original HDTVformat. The conversion controlled by controller 230 is performed inresponse to a desired input HDTV format programmed into the controllersimilarly as the control discussed alcove in conjunction with FIG. 4,

After conversion to the digital HDTV format, the outputs of the memoriesare respectively fed to digital to analog converters 524, 525 and 526,The outputs of the above-mentioned digital to analog converters arerespectively connected to low pass filter 523 having negligible responseat 1/2 f_(s) (about 38 MHz) and low pass filters 522, 521 havingnegligible response at 1/4 f_(s) (about 15 MHz). The outputs of low passfilters 521, 522 and 523 feed through matrix 511 to produce an RGB highdefinition television output.

FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) illustrate the clocking and control circuitry 230 toderive READ CONTROL, READ MEMORY RESET, WRITE CONTROL, WRITE MEMORYRESET and DVTR OUT synchronization control signals. FIG. 6(a) derivesthe signals for the record mode Based on H-DRIVE IN and V-DRIVE IN froma broadcaster or proposed format source. In the record mode, theproposed format sampling rate f_(s) oscillator 931 is locked to thebroadcaster or proposed format source via phase locked loop PLL2 940.The DVTR is locked at DVTR frequency 74.175 MHz for the HDD-1000 byoscillator 930 locked to oscillator 931 via phase locked loop PLL1 941.FIG. 6(b) derives the signals for the playback mode wherein DVTRoscillator 930 drives the entire system like the broadcaster or proposedformat source drove the entire system in the record mode. DVTRoscillator 930 drives the DVTR via DVTR OUT at 74.175 MHz for theHDD-1000. DVTR oscillator 930 also controls the sampling frequency f_(s)oscillator 931 via phase locked loop PLL3 944.

FIG. 6(a) illustrates a generic depiction of the components for controlin the record mode. Oscillator 931 is locked to FORMAT H-DRIVE IN viaphase locked loop PLL2 940. Divide-by 967 divides down the output ofoscillator 931 by p for a comparison in phase locked loop comparator 940with the FORMAT H-DRIVE IN signal. The output of PLL2 comparator 940trims the frequency of crystal oscillator VCXO 931. The output ofcrystal oscillator VCXO 931 and the output of DVTR crystal oscillatorVCXO 930 are compared in phase locked loop PLL1 comparator 941. Theoutput of phase locked loop PLL1 comparator 941 trims the frequency ofcrystal VCXO 930. The output of oscillator 931 is divided by q individe-by 966 and the output of oscillator 930 is divided by r individe-by 960 before comparison in phase locked loop PLL1 comparator941.

The output of crystal VCXO 930 divided by t in divide-by 972 and dividedby s in divide-by 973 is combined by NAND gate 970 and set by flip-flop980 to yield the READ MEMORY RESET synchronization control signal. TheFORMAT H-DRIVE IN and FORMAT V-DRIVE IN are combined by NAND gate 971and set by flip-flop 981 to yield the WRITE MEMORY RESET synchronizationcontrol signal.

The DVTR OUT synchronization control signal of FIG. 6(a) drives theDVTR. The READ CONTROL and WRITE CONTROL synchronization control signalsclock memory addresses for i.e. luminance read memory 435 and luminancewrite memory 436, respectively. Memories 431-436 are addressed byaddress counters (not shown). The address counters are programmed tocount up to the number of necessary storage spaces required forconversion. The READ MEMORY RESET and WRITE MEMORY RESET synchronizationcontrol signals reset i.e. luminance read memory 435 and luminance writememory 436, respectively. When a memory is reset by a READ or a WRITEMEMORY RESET synchronization control signal, the signal's associatedmemory resets to a reference storage space--such as the upper-leftcorner of the frame.

VCXO oscillators 931 and 930 are preferably crystal oscillators. Acrystal oscillator has a crystal ground to produce a very stable andaccurate frequency. The oscillation frequency of the crystal can becontrolled by a voltage controlled capacitor (varicap) or similarreactive means. Such an accurate crystal oscillator is an idealoscillator for accurate phase locked loop (PLL) frequency control. As analternative to crystal VCXO oscillators, microprocessor controloscillators can be used in the event a microprocessor controlledoscillator is available having a frequency stability comparable to thatof a crystal VCXO.

FIG. 6(b) illustrates a generic depiction of the components for controlin the playback mode. Sampling frequency f_(s) crystal oscillator VCXO931 and DVTR crystal oscillator VCXO 930 are compared in phase lockedloop comparator PLL3 944 to control the frequency of oscillator 931. Theoutput of phase locked loop PLL3 comparator 944 trims the frequency ofoscillator 931. The output of oscillator 931 is divided by q individe-by 966 and the output of oscillator 930 is divided by r individe-by 960 before comparison in phase locked loop comparator 944.

The DVTR H-DRIVE IN and DVTR V-DRIVE IN are combined in NAND gate 974and set by flip-flop 982 to yield the WRITE MEMORY RESET synchronizationcontrol signal. The output of crystal VCXO 931 divided by 2 p individe-by 976 and divided by n in divide-by 977 is combined in NAND gate975 and set by flip-flop 983 to yield the READ MEMORY RESETsynchronization control signal.

The DVTR OUT synchronization control signal of FIG. 6(b) drives theDVTR. The READ CONTROL and WRITE CONTROL synchronization control signalsclock memory addresses for i.e. luminance read memory 535 and luminancewrite memory 536, respectively. Memories 531-536 are addressed byaddress counters. The address counters are programmed to count up to thenumber of necessary storage spaces required for conversion. The READMEMORY RESET and WRITE MEMORY RESET synchronization control signalsreset i.e. luminance read memory 535 and luminance write memory 536,respectively. When a memory is reset by a READ or a WRITE MEMORY RESETsynchronization control signal, the signal's associated memory resets toa reference storage space--such as the upper-left corner of the frame.

In the above, the addressed memory can be a random access memory in sizedependent upon the number of DVTR lines necessary for a completesequence of chrominance and luminance lines. Instead for a random accessmemory, the memory can be a sequential address memory. The READ and theWRITE MEMORY RESET pulses from the NAND gates can be used to reset thesequential access memories to their first memory locations. When using asequential access memory, the dummy samples illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8preferably should be inserted between lines during the time of thehorizontal interval. Therefore, from FIG. 7, dummy sample 612 should beinserted between lines 610 and 611 at 612a; dummy sample 614 should beinserted between lines 611 and 613 at 614a dummy sample 617 should beinserted between either/or lines 613 and 615 or lines 615 and 616 at617a and/or 617b; dummy sample 619 should be inserted between lines 616and 618 at 619a; and dummy sample 621 should be inserted between dummysamples 618 and 620 at 621a. By inserting the dummy samples betweenlines, the dummy samples can be stored in the sequential access memoryduring the horizontal interval. When using a random access memory, thedummy samples do not need to be placed at the end of a line for they canbe randomly accessed or even skipped over by the addressing circuitry atany point in time.

Among the proposed HDTV formats, a first, a second and a third exemplaryproposed format are described herein. These exemplary proposed formatsare examples for teaching the present invention. They are in no waypreferred over each other or over any other format. The first exemplaryproposed format is representable as 1370 luminance (Y) samples per lineof video signal and 685 chrominance (R-Y and B-Y) samples per line ofvideo signal. Proper digital representation for the first exemplaryproposed format may require 1370 samples. This format has an active linetime of approximately 17.8 microseconds and a RGB signal bandwidth is28.9 MHz. Accordingly, the minimum number of samples per active line toaccurately reproduce the luminance signal is 2.5×28.9×17.8 or 1286samples. The factor 2.5 allows for practical Nyquist frequency filterrolloff, corresponding to the 1/.4 factor discussed elsewhere in thistext.

In accordance with FIGS. 7 and 8, for the first exemplary proposed HDTVformat, the memories 435 and 436 are written into and read out of in amanner corresponding to the 1920 samples per line permitted by theexemplary HDD-1000 DVTR. An entire 1370 sample first luminance line 610,a first portion of 548 samples of a second luminance line 611 and 2dummy samples 612 make up DVTR line #1, to be stored in memory 435 or436. A second portion of 822 samples of the second luminance line 611, afirst portion of 1096 samples of a third luminance line 613 and 2 dummysamples 614 make up DVTR line #2. A second portion of 274 samples of thethird luminance line 613, an entire 1370 sample fourth luminance line615 and a first portion of 274 samples of a fifth luminance line 616 and2 dummy samples 617 make up DVTR line #3. A second portion of 1096samples of the fifth luminance line 616, a first portion of 822 samplesof a sixth luminance line 620 and 2 dummy samples make up DVTR line #4.A second portion of 548 samples of the sixth luminance line 618, anentire 1370 sample seventh luminance line and 2 dummy samples make upDVTR line #5. DVTR line #6 begins with a next entire 1370 sample line,thus repeating the above sequence of seven luminance lines every fiveDVTR lines. The partitioning of luminance lines and the number of dummysamples are chosen to adapt a given number of luminance lines into agiven number of DVTR lines and thus have a predictable repeatingpattern, thus minimizing memory size.

Alternatively, the dummy samples may be located between lines,especially in the instance of a sequential access memory. Thus, dummysamples 612 may be located at location 612a, dummy samples 614 atlocation 614a, and so on during the time of the horizontal blankinginterval.

FIG. 8 illustrates an 685 sample R-Y or B-Y chrominance line 710corresponding to 1370 sample luminance line 610 of the first exemplaryproposed format illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 illustrates the conversionof source lines to DVTR lines output of either memories 433 and 434 forB-Y chrominance lines and memories 431 and 432 for R-Y chrominancelines. Because the R-Y and B-Y chrominance lines are multiplexedtogether by multiplexer 440, the number of samples of each chrominancesource line (685 samples) are half that of each luminance source line(1370 samples). Thus, partitioning of the chrominance source lines andthe use of dummy samples in FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7.

As described in connection with FIG. 7, dummy samples may be insertedbetween lines at locations 712a, 714a, 717a, 717b, 719a, 721a and so on.

Depending on the format recorded, any number of dummy samples; includingzero dummy samples per line, are possible when the partitioning ofsource lines is chosen. The dummy samples are not necessary forconveying information but may convey useful information by their use asparity bits, as synchronization bits, as memory row identification bitsor the like. For example, the dummy samples can be used to indicate thebeginning of each new frame. In the event the DVTR should drop data orlose sync, the dummy sample would permit quick correction of the error.Dummy samples can also be used to indicate the beginning of a new framewhen the converted format is interlaced at i=2, for example, forcorrection in the event of an error.

FIG. 9 illustrates how the seven luminance or chrominance source linesfor the first proposed exemplary format are fit into five DVTR lines.DVTR 110, for example, of FIG. 3 dictates the DVTR lines and display130, for example, dictates the source lines. Note that after apredetermined number of source or DVTR lines, the source and DVTR linepattern repeats.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second exemplary proposed format having 2055samples per line. Note that after a predetermined number of fourteensource lines and fifteen DVTR lines, the pattern repeats. The exemplaryformat of FIG. 10 also uses 2 dummy samples per DVTR tape line.

FIG. 11(a) is a flowchart illustrating the following method steps 1-11according to a first embodiment and FIG. 11(b) is a flowchartillustrating the following method steps 1-11 according to a secondembodiment. Any proposed format can be realized in a programmableconverter as described below:

Digital Video Tape Recorder (DVTR) Variables Given for a DVTR:

1) the number of total lines per frame (N_(DT)),

2) the number of active lines per frame (N_(Da)),

3) the number of total luminance samples (bytes) per line (N_(DTL)),

4) the number of active luminance samples (bytes) per line (N_(DL)),

5) a DVTR field rate (fields per second) equal to the proposed formatfield rate (f_(vd) =f_(v)),

6) the interlace characteristic of the DVTR [i_(D) 1:1=1 field/frame1:2=2 fields/frame 1:3=3 fields/frame . . . ], and

7) f_(sD) number of active luminance samples per second

Proposed Format Variables

Given for a proposed format:

a) the number of total lines per frame (N_(T)),

b) the number of active lines per frame (N_(a)),

c) a proposed format field rate (fields per second) equal to the DVTRfield rate (f_(v) =f_(vd)),

d) the interlace characteristic of the proposed format [i 1:1=1field/frame 1:2=2 fields/frame 1:3=3 fields/frame . . . ], and

e) the minimum number of luminance samples (bytes) per line (N_(L)),

Steps for Deriving the Number of Dummy Samples According to a FirstEmbodiment

    ______________________________________                                        Step #1      Determine the number of active                                                lines in a field of the DVTR and the                                          number of active lines in a field of                                          the proposed format.                                              ##STR1##                                                                      ##STR2##                                                                     Step #2      Determine the number of active                                                luminance samples (bytes) per field                                           for the DVTR                                                     B = N.sub.DL N.sub.Da field                                                   Step #3      Determine the number of active                                                luminance samples of the proposed                                             format samples (bytes) to arrange                                             on a DVTR active line (N.sub.c)                                   ##STR3##                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The result, N_(c), will not always be an integer. N_(c) must be aninteger because a digital sample (byte) can only be an integer.

    ______________________________________                                        Step #4       If N.sub.c is not an integer, decrement                                       N.sub.DL by 1 and go to step #2.                                ______________________________________                                    

When N_(c) becomes an integer, the number of times N_(DL) isdecremented, n_(dec), equals the number of dummy samples that will beused on each line.

Preferably, the integer N_(c) will be an even number as N_(c) /2 will bethe number of chrominance samples which preferably is an integer. Evennumbers will be easier to divide by two in order to clock the 1/2 f_(s)chrominance analog to digital and digital to analog converters. However,if an odd integer N_(c) is used, the circuitry will tolerate droppingone sample at the edge of every other line. Anti-aliasing low passfilters 421, 422, 521, 522 will also minimize any effects of the droppedhalf cycle.

N_(c) thus equals the number of active luminance samples (bytes) 610 ofa proposed active format luminance (Y) line placed on a DVTR line. Thenumber of active samples (bytes) 710 of a proposed active formatchrominance (R-Y) line or (B-Y) line placed on a DVTR line thus equals1/2 N_(c) because the chrominance component is divided in half bymultiplexers 440 and 540 for the chrominance lines. The linearrangements of FIGS. 7 and 8 can thus be determined from the calculatedN_(c) samples (bytes) placed among the repeated lines. The N_(c) samplesare placed among the lines with n_(dec) dummy samples at the end of eachline. Eventually a pattern will repeat over and over after a number oflines (five lines for the first exemplary proposed format, fourteenlines for the second exemplary proposed format and five lines for thethird exemplary proposed format).

Steps for Deriving the Number of Dummy Samples According to a FirstEmbodiment

    ______________________________________                                        Step #1       Determine the number of active                                                lines in a field of the DVTR and the                                          number of active lines in a field of                                          the proposed format.                                             ##STR4##                                                                      ##STR5##                                                                     Step #1A      Determine the ratio (R) of active                                             lines in a field of the DVTR to                                               active lines in a field of the pur-                                           posed format.                                                    ##STR6##                                                                     Step #2       Find a ratio (j/k) of integers that                                           closely approximate but do not                                                exceed R. The ratio should be                                                 selected so that the number of                                                stored lines j is manageable.                                   ______________________________________                                    

The proposed active format lines will be stored in j lines of memory,each line of memory being N_(DL) samples (bytes) in length. As jdirectly expresses the size of the memory, it is desirable to minimizethe value of j. The smaller the ratio j/k, the lesser the cost of thememory. A value for j of at least about 16 is desirable for inexpensivedigital construction.

    ______________________________________                                        Step #3        Determine the number of active                                                luminance samples (bytes) per                                                 active DVTR line.                                               ##STR7##                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

If N_(c) is not an integer, some number d of dummy samples must be addedto the real active luminance bytes to comprise a total of N_(DL) activeluminance samples (bytes) per active line to be recorded.

    ______________________________________                                        Step #4      If N.sub.c is not an integer, round down                                      to find the largest integer (less than                                        b) which when multiplied by k/j                                               yields an integer i.                                             ______________________________________                                    

When N_(c) becomes an integer, the number of dummy samples d that willbe used on each line is d=N_(DL) -i.

Now that the memory arrangement and number of dummy samples for eachDVTR line has been determined by either of the above embodiments, how toprovide oscillators for generating the clock and control signals and howto control the oscillators will be discussed below.

Steps for Deriving f_(s), p, q, and r

The active portion of a television line is approximately 85% of thetotal line time.

    ______________________________________                                        Step #5      Determine the number of proposed                                              format active luminance samples to                                            be stored per active DVTR line                                    ##STR8##                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The result, N, will not always be an integer. In order for digitalgeneration, N, must be an integer.

    ______________________________________                                        Step #6       Round N to the nearest integer.                                 ______________________________________                                    

In effect, by rounding the approximated 85% blanking time is slightlyvaried up or down until the nearest integer for N is arrived at.

For accurate PLL oscillator control, a small number of low primeintegers are desired to divide the oscillator outputs before comparisonin the PLL comparator. The preferred integers are the remaining factorsderived from the above divided N and from the number of total luminancesamples per line N_(DTL).

    ______________________________________                                        Step #7      Factor N.sub.DTL.                                                Step #8      Factor N. Check for common fac-                                               tors of N.sub.DTL and N.                                         Step #9      Increment and decrement N and                                                 jump to step #7 until the number of                                           common factors of N.sub.DTL and N is                                          greatest.                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Alternatively, N N_(T) and N_(DTL) N_(DT) can be factored. Then N can beincremented and decremented until the number of common factors of NN_(T) and N_(DTL) N_(DT) is greatest.

    ______________________________________                                        Step #10           Compute the sampling frequency                                                oscillator rate (f.sub.s) in samples per                                      second.                                                              f.sub.S =                                                                              N N.sub.T f.sub.v                                          ______________________________________                                    

    f.sub.s =N N.sub.T f.sub.v

The incrementing and decrementing of N should only be performed withinreasonable limits in order to provide a frequency for PLL comparisonyielding less error than an oscillator PLL driven by dividers of manyuncommon factors. If N=N_(DTL), the two oscillators will be at the samefrequency and a PLL is not required (i.e. 900 line, 59.94, 1:1, n=1200).Choosing a value for N may be performed in an iterative process untilthe designed circuit achieves an acceptable cost and accuracy tradeoff.

    ______________________________________                                        Step #11      Solve the following equation for q                                            and r by first cancelling common                                              factors.                                                         ##STR9##                                                                                 Then take q as the remaining factors                                          of (N N.sub.T /i) and r as the                                                remaining factors of (N.sub.DTL                                               N.sub.DT /i.sub.D).                                               ______________________________________                                    

N itself will be designated p for purposes of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) and12(a)-14(b). As discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) and12(a)-14(b), the remaining factors derived from N_(DTL) and N are thusused as divide by factors p, q, and r for accurate frequency comparisonby the phase locked loops.

Also, for purpose of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) and 12(a)-(b), t=N_(DTL),s=f_(sD) /f_(v), and n=2(N_(T))(p).

The DVTR Variables Defined

The Sony HDD-1000 DVTR and the Hitachi DVTR have the followingparameters:

1) N_(DT) =1125 total lines per frame

2) N_(Da) =1035 active lines per frame

3) N_(DTL) =2200 total luminance samples (bytes) per line

4) N_(DL) =1920 active luminance samples (bytes) per line

5) f_(v) =59.94 fields per second (or 60.--operator selectable.)

6) i_(D) =2 fields per frame

7) f_(sD) =74.175 MHz

Other DVTRs can also be used.

Structuring the Converter Parameters for a First Exemplary ProposedFormat According to the First Embodiment

A first exemplary proposed format has the following parameters:

a) N_(T) =787.5 total lines per frame

b) N_(a) =720 active lines per frame

c) f_(v) =59.94 fields per second

d) i=1 field per frame

Step #1, N_(Da) field=N_(Da) /i_(D) =1035 active lines per frame/2fields per frame=517.5 active lines per field, N_(a) field=N_(a) /i=720active lines per field/1 field per frame=720 active lines per field.

Step #2, B=N_(DL) N_(Da) field=(1920 active luminance samples (bytes)per line) (517.5 active lines per field)=993,600 active luminancesamples (bytes) per field.

Step #3, N_(c) =B/N_(a) field=(993,600 active luminance samples (bytes)per field)/(720 active lines per field)=1380 active luminance samples(bytes) per active line.

Step #4, N_(c) is thus an integer and n_(dec) =0 dummy samples.

Step #5, N=N_(c) /0.85=(1380 active luminance samples (bytes) per activeline)/0.85=1623.529412 active luminance samples (bytes) per active line.

Step #6, N=1624 active luminance samples (bytes) per active line,rounded to the nearest integer.

Step #7, N_(DTL) =2200=2×2×2×5×5×11.

Step #8, N=1624=2×2×2×7×29. 1624 factors poorly and has few commonfactors with N_(DTL).

Step #9 increment and decrement N until the number of common factors ofN_(DTL) and N is greatest. Take the larger factors of 2200, like 11, 5and 2. Look for numbers close to 1624 (but not 2200) that have factorswith 11, 5, 5 and 2 in them. 550=11×5×5×2. 2200/550=4. 4-1=3.11×5×5×2×3=1650. Therefore, an N of 1650 would work. Also, if factorswith 11, 5 and 5 were tried instead, 275=11×5×5, 2200/275=8, 8-1-7(seven is not a lowest prime to settle at just yet), 8-2=6=3×2,11×5×2×3=1650. Therefore, N=1650 is used.

Step #10, f_(s) =N N_(T) f_(v) =(1650 active samples (bytes) per line)(787.5 total fines per frame) (59.94 fields per second)=77.88461538 MHz.##EQU1##

The product of the remaining factors of N_(DTL) N_(DT) /i_(D)), 5, 2 and2, equals 20 and is designated r. The product of the uncommon factors ofN, 3 and 7, equals 21 and is designated q. N itself, 1650, is designatedp. The control circuitry can by built for the first format by conformingthe circuitry of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) with the above calculatedvariables. The control circuitry of the preferred embodiment for thefirst exemplary proposed format as illustrated in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b)is built as calculated according to the second embodiment below. In thesecond embodiment, when j/k is selected as 5/7 instead of 23/32, asmaller memory size is achieved having two dummy samples. Dummy samplesmay be necessary when converting an interlaced format and/or foralleviating data errors. In a high volume commercial application, thevariables determined by the first and second embodiments may need to bevaried in order to achieve the lowest necessary error rate for thelowest tolerable cost per converter. When designing such a converter, aniterative design approach to using the first and second embodiments isnecessary for the best tradeoff.

Structuring the Converter Parameters for a First Exemplary ProposedFormat According to the Second Embodiment

Step #1, N_(Da) field=N_(Da) /i_(D) =1035 active lines per frame/2fields per frame=517.5 active lines per field, N_(a) field=N_(a) /i=720active lines per field/1 field per frame=720 lines per field.

Step #1A, R=j/k=N_(Da) field/N_(a) field=517.5/720=0.71875

Step #2, j/k=23/32, select a smaller ratio j/k that approximates 23/32so that the memory size j is at most 16 (design choice for thisexample). Let j/k=5/7.

Step #3, N_(c) =(j/k) N_(DL) =(5/7) (1920 active luminance samples(bytes) per line)=1371.428571 active luminance samples (bytes) per line.

Step #4, N_(c) is not an integer, round down N_(c) to 1371, (7/5)(1371)=1919.4 which is not an integer, round down N_(c) to 1370 , (7/5)(1370 )=1918 which is an integer. Therefore, N_(c) =1370 andd=1920-1918=2 dummy bytes per line.

Step #5, N=N_(c) /0.85=(1370 active luminance samples (bytes) perline)/0.85=1611.764706 active luminance samples (bytes) per line.

Step #6, N=1612 active samples (bytes) per line, rounded to the nearestinteger.

Step #7, N_(DTL) =2200=2×2×2×5×5×11.

Step #8, N=1612=2×2×13×31. 1624 factors poorly and has few commonfactors with N_(DTL).

Step #9 increment and decrement N until the number of common factors ofN_(DTL) and N is greatest. Take the larger factors of 2200, like 11, 5and 2. Look for numbers close to 1612 (but not 2200) that have factorswith 11, 5, 5 and 2 in them. 550=11×5×5×2. 1612/550=2.93.11×5×5×2×3=1650. 1650 is not closest. Try numbers that have 5×2×2 inthem. 5×2×2=20. 2200/20=100. 1612/20=80.6. 5×2×2×81=1620. Therefore,N=1620 is used.

Step #10, f_(s) =N N_(T) f_(v) =(1620 active samples (bytes) per line)(787.5 total lines per frame) (59.94 fields per second)=76.468455 MHz.##EQU2##

The product of the remaining factors of (N_(DTL) N_(DT) /i_(D)), 5, 5, 2and 11, equals 550 and is designated r. The product of the uncommonfactors of N, 3, 3, 3, 3 and 7, equals 567 is designated q. N itself,1620, is designated p. t=N_(DTL) =2200, s=f_(sD) /f_(v) =1237487, 2p=3240, n=2(N_(T))(p)=2(787.5)(1620)=2551500. The control circuitry canbe built for the first format by conforming the circuitry of FIGS. 6(a)and 6(b) with the alcove calculated variables. FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b)show such circuitry connected per the above calculated values.

Structuring the Converter Parameters for a Second Exemplary ProposedFormat According to the First Embodiment

A second exemplary proposed format has the following parameters:

a) N_(T) =525 total lines per frame

b) N_(a) =483 active Lines per frame

c) f_(v) 59.94 fields per second

d) i=1 field per frame

Step #1, N_(Da) field=N_(Da) /i_(D) =1035 active lines per frame/2fields per frame=517.5 active lines per field, N_(a) field=N_(a) /i=483active lines per field/1 field per frame=483 active lines per field.

Step #2, B=N_(DL), N_(Da) field=(1920 active luminance samples (bytes)per active line) (517.5 active lines per field)=993,600 active luminancesamples (bytes) per field.

Step #3, N_(c) =B/N_(a) field =(993,600 active luminance samples (bytes)per field)/(483 active Lines per field): 2057.142857 active luminancesamples (bytes) per active line.

Step #4, N_(c) is not an integer. Decrement N_(DL) by 1, N_(DL) =1919active luminance samples (bytes) per line and n_(dec) =1. Go back tostep #2.

Step #2, repeated, B=N_(DL) N_(Da) field=(1919 active luminance samples(bytes) per active line) (517.5 active lines per field)=993,082.5 activeluminance samples (bytes) per field.

Step #3, repeated, N_(c) =B/N_(a) field=(993,082.5 active luminancesamples (bytes) per field)/(483 active lines per field)=2056.071429active luminance samples (bytes) per active line.

Step #4, repeated, N_(c) is not an integer. Again decrement N_(DL) by 1,N_(DL) =1918 active luminance samples (bytes) per active line andn_(dec) =2. Go back to step #2.

Step #2, repeated again, B=N_(DL) N_(Da) field=(1918 active luminancesamples (bytes) per line)(517.5 active lines per field)=992,565 activeluminance samples (bytes) per field.

Step #3, repeated again, N_(c) =B/N_(a) field=(992,565 active luminancesamples (bytes) per field)/(483 active lines per field)=2055 activeluminance samples (bytes) per active line. Therefore, n_(dec) =2 andthere will be two dummy samples (bytes). N_(c) =2055 samples of aproposed format luminance (Y) line win be placed on the N_(DL) =1920sample DVTR line by placing 1920 active luminance samples on a firstDVTR line and 2055-1920=135 active luminance samples on a second DVTRline. The number of chrominance R-Y placed will be 1/2 N_(c) =1027samples and chrominance B-Y will be also 1/2 N_(c) =1027 samples (onehall a sample is dropped due to an odd N_(c)).

Step #5, N=N_(c) /0.85=(2055 active luminance samples (bytes) per activeline)/0.85=2417.647059 active luminance samples (bytes) per active line.

Step #6, N=2418 active luminance samples (bytes) per line, rounded tothe nearest integer.

Step #7, N_(DTL) =2200=2×2×2×5×5×11.

Step #8, N=2418=2×3×13×31.2418 factors poorly and has few common factorswith N_(DTL),

Step #9 increment and decrement N until the number of common factors ofN_(DTL) and N is greatest. Take the larger factors of 2200, like 11, 5and 2. Look for numbers close to 2418 (but not 2200) that have factorswith 11, 5, 5 and 2 in them. 550=11×5×5×2. 2200/550=4. 4+1=5.11×5×5×2×5=2750. Therefore, an N of 2750 would work. But a number closerto 2418 is preferred. Look for numbers close to 2400 (but not 2200) thathave factors with 2×2×2×5 in them. 200=2×2×2×5×5. 2200/200=11.11-1=10=2×5. 2×2×2×5×5×2×5=2000. 11+1=12=3×2×2. 2×2×2×5 ×5×3×2×2=2400.2400 is very close to 2418. Therefore N=2400.

Step #10, f_(s) =N N_(T) f_(v) =(2400 active samples (bytes) per line)(525 total lines per frame) (59.94 fields per second)=75.52447552 MHz.##EQU3##

The product of the uncommon factors of (N_(DTL) N_(DT) /i_(D)), 11 and5, equals 55 and is designated r. The product of the uncommon factors of(N N_(T) /i), 2, 2, 2 and 7, equals 56 and is designated q. N itself,2400, is designated p. t=N_(DTL) =2200, s=f_(sD) /f_(v) =1237487, 2p=4800, n=2(N_(T))(p)=2(525)(2400)=2520000. The control circuitry can bebuilt for the second format by conforming the circuitry of FIGS. 6(a)and 6(b) per the above calculated values. FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) showsuch circuitry connected as calculated above except that, to save costsin the preferred embodiment, the values of q and r have been multipliedby ten so that r=550 for both the first and the second exemplaryproposed formats. Multiplying the values of q and r by ten, however,will decrease the frequencies compared at PLL1 941 and PLL3 944 thusdecreasing the frequency control stability.

Structuring the Converter Parameters for a Second Exemplary ProposedFormat According to the Second Embodiment

Step #1, N_(Da) field=N_(Da) /i_(D) =1035 active lines per frame/2fields per frame=517.5 active lines per field, N_(a) field=N_(a) /i=483active lines per field/1 field per frame=488 active lines per field.

Step 1A, R=N_(Da) field/N_(a) field=517.5/483=1.071428571.

Step #2, j/k=15/14. j=15 stored lines is a manageable number.

Step #3, N_(c) =(j/k) N_(DL) =(15/14) (1920 active luminance samples(bytes) per line)=2057.142857 active luminance samples (bytes) per line.

Step #4, N_(c) is not an integer. 2057×(14/15)=1919.866667.2056×(14/15)=1918.933333. 2055×(14/15)=1918. Therefore, N_(c) =2055active luminance samples (bytes) per line and d=1920-1918=2 dummysamples per line.

Step #5, N=N_(c) /0.8=(1918 active luminance samples (bytes) perline)/0.85=2417.647059 active luminance samples (bytes) per line.

Step #6, N=2418 active samples (bytes) per line, rounded to the nearestinteger.

Step #7, N_(DTL) =2200=2×2×2×5×5×11.

Step #8, N=2418 =2×3×13×31. 2418 factors poorly and has few commonfactors with N_(DTL).

Step #9 increment and decrement N until the number of common factors ofN_(DTL) and N is greatest. Take the larger factors of 2200, like 11, 5and 2. Look for numbers close to 2418 (but not 2200) that have factorswith 11, 5, 5 and 2 in them. 550=11×5×5×2. 2418/550=4.3966.11×5×5×2×4=2200. 11×5×5×2×5=2750. But, a number closer to 2418 ispreferred. Also, if factors with 11, 5, 2 and 2 were tried instead,220=11×5×2×2, 2418/220=10.9909. 11×5×2×2×11=2420. We have few commonfactors with 11. Look for numbers close to 2418 (but not 2200) that have2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3 in them. 2×2×2×2×2×3=96. 2418/96=25.1875. 24=3×2×2×2,2×2×2×2×2×3×3×2×2×2.times.=2304. Try for a higher number of commonfactors. Up 24 to 25. 25=5×5. We need fives. 2×2×2×2×2×3×5×5=2400.

Step #10, f_(s) =N N_(T) f_(v) =(2400 active samples (bytes) per line)(525 total lines per frame) (59.94 fields per second)=75.52447552 MHz.##EQU4##

The product of the common factors of (N_(DTL) N_(DT) /i_(D)), 11 and 5,equals 55 and is designated r. The product of the uncommon factors of (NN_(T) /i), 2, 2, 2 and 7, equals 56 and is designated q. N itself, 2400,is designated p. t=N_(DTL) =2200, s=f_(sD) /f_(v) =1237487, 2 p=4800,n=2(N_(T))(p)=2(525)(2400)=2520000. The control circuitry can be builtfor the second format by conforming the circuitry of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)per the above calculated values. FIGS. 13(a)and 13(b) show suchcircuitry connected as calculated above except that, to save costs inthe preferred embodiment, the values of q and r have been multiplied byten so that r=550 for both the first and the second exemplary proposedformats. Multiplying the values of q and r by ten, however, willdecrease the frequencies compared at PLL1 941 and PLL3 944 thusdecreasing frequency control stability.

Structuring the Converter Parameters for a Third Exemplary ProposedFormat According to the First Embodiment

A third exemplary proposed format has the following parameters:

a) N.sub. T=900 total lines per frame

b) N_(a) =828 active lines per frame

c) f_(v) =59.94 fields per second

d) i=1 field per frame

Step #1, N_(Da) field=N_(Da) /i_(D) =1035 active lines per frame/2fields per frame=517.5 active lines per field, N_(a) field=N_(a) /i=828active lines per field/1 field per frame=828 active lines per field.

Step #2, B=N_(DL) N_(Da) field=(1920 active luminance samples (bytes)per line) (517.5 active lines per field)=993,600 active luminancesamples (bytes) per field.

Step #3, N_(c) =B/N_(a) field=(993,600 active luminance samples bytesper field)/(828 active lines per field)=1200 active luminance samples(bytes) per active line.

Step #4, N_(c) is an integer, therefore n_(dec) =0 and there will be nodummy samples (bytes). N_(c) =1200 active luminance samples of aproposed format luminance (Y) line will be placed on a N_(DL) =1920active luminance sample DVTR line. The number of chrominance R-Y placedwill be 1/2 N_(c) =600 samples and chrominance B-Y will be also 1/2N_(c) =600 samples.

Step #5, N=N_(c) /0.85=(1200 active luminance samples (bytes) perline)/0.85=1411.764706 active luminance samples (bytes) per line.

Step #6, N=1412 active luminance samples (bytes) per line, rounded tothe nearest integer.

Step #7, N_(DTL) =2200=2×2×2×5×5×11.

Step #8, N=1412=2×2×353. 1412 factors poorly and has few common factorswith N_(DTL).

Step #9 increment and decrement N until the number of common factors ofN_(DTL) and N is greatest. Take the larger factors of 2200, like 11, 5and 2. Look for numbers close to 1412 (but not 2200) that have factorswith 11, 5, 5 and 2 in them. 550=11×5×5×2. 2200/550=4. 4-1=3.11×5×5×2×3=1650. Therefore, an N of 1650 would work. But, a numbercloser to 1412 is preferred. Also, factors with 11, 5 and 5 were triedinstead, 275=11×5×5, 2200/275=8, 8-1=7 (seven is not a lowest prime tosettle at just yet), 8-2=6=3×2, 11×5×5×3×2=1650. If we used 8-3=5 then11×5×5×5=1375 which would work better since it is very close to 1412.Therefore, N=1375 is used and in fact yields an f_(s) equal to the DVTRclock, and thus oscillator 931,932 is not needed for this format. Thissimplifies the circuitry and eliminates any jitter associated with twophase locked loops in cascade.

Step #10, f_(s) =N N_(T) f_(v) =(1375 active luminance samples (bytes)per line) (900 total lines per frame) (59.94 fields persecond)=74.17582418 MHz. ##EQU5##

There are no remaining factors. Hense q=r=1 and f_(s) =74.17582418 MHzwhich is the same sampling frequency as the DVTR. Oscillators 930 and931 can be the same oscillator. N itself, 1375, is designated p.t=N_(DTL) =2200, s=f_(sD) /f_(v) =1237487, 2 p=2750,n=2(N_(T))(p)=2(900)(1375)=2475000. The control circuitry can be builtfor the second format by conforming the circuitry of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)per the above calculated values. FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) show suchcircuitry connected as calculated above.

Structuring the Converter Parameters for a Third Exemplary ProposedFormat According to the Second Embodiment

Step #1, N_(Da) field=N_(Da) /i_(D) =1035 active lines per frame/2fields per frame=517.5 active lines per field, N_(a) field=N_(a) /i=828active lines per field/1 field per frame=828 active lines per field.

Step 1A, R=N_(Da) field/N_(a) field=517.5/828=0.625.

Step #2, j/k=5/8. j=5 lines is a manageable number.

Step #3, N_(c) =(j/k) N_(DL) =(5/8)(1920 active luminance samples(bytes) per line)=1200 active luminance samples (bytes) per line.

Step #4, N_(c) is an integer. Therefore, N_(c) =1200 active luminancesamples (bytes) per line and d=0 dummy samples per line.

Step #5, N=N_(c) /0.85=(1200 active luminance samples (bytes) perline)/0.85=1411.764706 active luminance samples (bytes) per line.

Step #6, N=1412 active luminance samples (bytes) per line, rounded tothe nearest integer.

Step #7, N_(DTL) =2200=2×2×2×5×5×11.

Step #8, N=1412=2×2×353. 1412 factors poorly and has few common factorswith N_(DTL).

Step #9 increment and decrement N until the number of common factors ofN_(DTL) and N is greatest. Take the larger factors of 2200, like 11, 5and 2. Look for numbers close to 1412 (but not 2200) that have factorswith 11, 5, 5 and 2 in them. 550=11×5×5×2. 2200/550=4. 4-1=3.11×5×5×2×3=1650. Therefore, an N of 1650 would work. But, a numbercloser to 1412 is preferred. Also, if factors with 11, 5 and 5 weretried instead, 275=11×5×5, 2200/275=8, 8-1=7 (seven is not a lowestprime to settle at just yet), 8-2=6=3×2, 11×5×5×3×2=1650. If we used8-3=5 then 11×5×5×5=1375 which would work better since it is very closeto 1412. Therefore, N=1375 is used and in fact yields an f_(s) equal tothe DVTR clock, and thus oscillator 931,932 is not needed for thisformat.

Step #10, f_(s) =N N_(T) f_(v) =(1375 active samples (bytes) per line)(900 total Lines per frame) (59.94 fields per second)=74.17582418 MHz.##EQU6##

There are no remaining factors. Hense q=r=1 and f_(s) =74.17582418 MHzwhich is the same sampling frequency as the DVTR. Oscillators 930 and931 can be the same oscillator. N itself, 1375, is designated p.t=N_(DTL) =2200, s=f_(sD) /f_(v) =1237487, 2 p=2750,n=2(N_(T))(p)=2(900)(1375)=2475000. The control circuitry can be builtfor the second format by conforming the circuitry of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)per the above calculated values. FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) show suchcircuitry connected as calculated above.

The record mode and playback mode circuits of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) can becombined using switches to connect plural components (such asoscillators 931, 932, 933 or 934) according to the desired mode.Furthermore, the circuits of FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) through 14(a) and14(b) can be combined with switches to select a format to convert.Furthermore, the dividers can be programmable dividers to aid switchingbetween formats. The above-mentioned switches and dividers can besubstituted with a program controlled processor wherein proposed formatdata are entered, parameters are calculated by the above embodimentsteps and clock and control signals are generated. It is also importantto note that the record/playback circuitry of FIGS. 4 and 5 can sharecommon components. For instance, it is preferred they share the sameDVTR and controller. It is also preferred they share the same memories.

The above-described proposed HDTV formats are examples for teaching thepresent invention. These exemplary proposed formats are in no waypreferred over each other or any other format. Using the principlestaught by the above description, conversions for recording and playingback of any proposed format are possible. It will be recognized thatmodifications will occur to those of skill in the art. The presentapplication is therefore intended to cover any such modifications whichfall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of converting a signal having aspecified format to a pre-existing television signal format, both thespecified and preexisting formats being orthogonal in structure andhaving lines arranged vertically; the steps comprising:determining anumber of dummy samples to be stored with active luminance samples ofthe specified television signal format such that the number of dummysamples and the number of active luminance samples stored coincide withthe number of samples per active line; deriving a frequency of anoscillator for controlling the storage of the dummy samples and theactive luminance samples of the specified television format in a memory;and storing the dummy samples and the active luminance samples of thespecified television format in memory.
 2. A method of converting aspecified television signal format in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid dummy samples convey information.
 3. A method of convening aspecified television signal format in accordance with claim 2 whereinsaid information comprises parity bits.
 4. A method of converting aspecified television signal format in accordance with claim 2 whereinsaid information relates to the television signal format.
 5. A method ofconverting a specified television signal format in accordance with claim2 wherein said information specifies the television signal format.
 6. Amethod of converting a specified television signal format in accordancewith claim 2 wherein said information comprises memory rowidentification bits.
 7. A method of converting a specified televisionsignal format in accordance with claim 2 wherein said dummy samplesindicate the beginning of each new frame.
 8. A method of converting aspecified television signal format in accordance with claim 2, whereinsaid information comprises synchronization data related to the specifiedtelevision format.
 9. A method of converting a specified televisionsignal format according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining thenumber of dummy samples comprises the steps of:determining the number ofactive lines vertically of the preexisting format; determining thenumber of active lines vertically of the specified television signalformat; determining a ratio R of the number of active lines in a fieldof the preexisting format to the number of lines of the specifiedtelevision signal format; determining a ratio j/k of integers thatclosely approximate, but do not exceed the ratio R; and determining aNumber Nc of active luminance samples of the specified television formatwhich will be stored.
 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein ifN_(c) is not an integer, rounding N_(c) down to find the largest integernumber which when multiplied by the reciprocal of the ratio j/k yieldsan integer number i.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein Nc isan integer number, determining the number of dummy samples D to bestored with the number Nc of luminance samples of the specifiedtelevision format in each active line of the preexisting format as thedifference between the number of luminance samples per activepreexisting format line and the integer I.
 12. An apparatus forconverting a signal having a specified format to a pre-existingtelevision signal format, both the specified and preexisting formatsbeing orthogonal in structure and having lines arranged vertically; theapparatus comprising:means for determining a number of dummy samples tobe stored with active luminance samples of the specified televisionsignal format such that the number of dummy samples and the number ofactive luminance samples stored coincide with the number of samples peractive pre-existing format line; means for deriving a frequency of anoscillator for controlling the storage of the dummy samples and theactive luminance samples of the specified television format in a memory;and means for storing the dummy samples and the active luminance samplesof the specified television format in memory.
 13. An apparatus forconverting a specified television signal format in accordance with claim12, wherein said dummy samples convey information.
 14. An apparatus forconverting a specified television signal format in accordance with claim13 wherein said information comprises parity bits.
 15. An apparatus forconverting a specified television signal format in accordance with claim13 wherein said information relates to the television signal format. 16.An apparatus for converting a specified television signal format inaccordance with claim 13 wherein said information specifies thetelevision signal format.
 17. An apparatus for converting a specifiedtelevision signal format in accordance with claim 13 wherein saidinformation comprises memory row identification bits.
 18. An apparatusfor converting a specified television signal format in accordance withclaim 13 wherein said dummy samples indicate the beginning of each newframe.
 19. An apparatus for converting a specified television signalformat in accordance with claim 13 wherein said information comprisessynchronization data related to the specified television format.